Back in the 1970s, the entire Washington state congressional delegation periodically met in Sen. Warren "Maggie" Magnuson's office to shape legislation favorable to folks back home.

These days, the 11 members of Congress from Washington are unable to come together even on issues they all agree upon. Partisan sniping has made relationships much frostier than the cordially competitive days of Maggie and Sen. Henry "Scoop" Jackson.

Most of the recent acrimony has been generated by the election contest between Republican Rep. George Nethercutt of Spokane and Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, but fissures in the delegation were emerging long before Nethercutt decided to run for Murray's seat.

One result: The state's lawmakers have not gathered as a group this year, suspending their monthly breakfast meetings.

"Washington state has always had a tradition of working together for the greater good," said a Washington, D.C., lobbyist with Washington state clients. "That's definitely eroding. And it makes everything harder for everybody."

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